Want A Passport? Don’t Get Fooled By fake Websites Or Agents

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) Ahmedabad has issued an advisory to passport aspirants after the Government of India disqualified all agents. The advisory warns applicants of fake websites and agents who can cheat them of money, misuse their documents or even use fake ones to help them get a passport.

The advisory also follows the Gujarat police busting the illegal immigration scam in the state. During the investigation into the scam, it emerged that documents of people were being used to create fake passports for criminals and other potential illegal immigrants who wanted to sneak into the US.

Regional Passport Officer Wren Mishra said that the government of India has now disqualified all agents which means there are no authorised agents to help with passport procedures. Sources said recently, RPO, Ahmedabad visited several Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) under his jurisdiction and talked to passport seekers. “We have told them to use only the official website, www.passportindia.gov.in for passport-related works. We also warned them of several unauthorised and fake websites,” said Mishra.

He said fake websites often charge a hefty sum from passport seekers by providing misleading information. “They may seek money from passport seekers under the pretext of ‘expediting’ the process of issuing passports,” said Mishra.

A passport official told media  that sometimes agents offer help to get birth and school leaving certificates for passport seekers. 

“There is a strong possibility that the agents may create fake certificates from a school which never existed,” the official said.

 

  Always provide correct information and documents for passport-related services. 

  Always fill out the



passport application on your own.

  If application is filled by someone else, an applicant should ensure all information and documents are correct.

  Passport seekers should always provide their own email ID and mobile number in the application.

  If applicants don’t have their own email ID and phone number they should always give the phone and email ID of a family member.

  Applications for passports would only be done through official websites such as www.passportindia.gov.in 

or  m.Passport Seva App. 

  The website and app also allow for fee payment and appointments.

  The application fee details are also available on the website and an applicant is not required to pay more than the prescribed fee.

  Never use false information and fake or tampered documents for passport application as it is a punishable offence.

  Never suppress important information during passport application. 

  Never give the email ID and phone number of a third party or agent as all passport-related information of an applicant will then be sent to this ID. This gives the agent the power to manipulate an applicant for money